TROY journalism teacher jazzes up Israel

Posted: Monday, 03 January 2011

TROY—Troy University journalism lecturer David “Doc” Kirby lets his trumpet do his talking, rather than his pen.

His latest travels in November took him to Israel as part of a jazz team through the Global Missions Project. Previous trips have taken him to Cuba, Brazil, Greece, Russia, Finland and the Ukraine – in addition to a Nashville, Tenn., recording session.

“Music gives you a way to connect with people who are very different than yourself – even those who are hostile at first,” he said. “It is truly an international language.”

During the trip, Kirby and the band played concerts in Bethlehem, Tel Aviv, Tiberius and Jerusalem – seven concerts in all; and toured several historic sites.

“To see these sites, to walk where three great faiths struggle for dominance, to play jazz music for visitors and residents alike is a great blessing,” said Kirby, who is also a Methodist lay minister.

The group visited Megiddo, a 5,000-year old city overlooking the valley of Armageddon, hiked the Masada, floated in the Dead Sea, rode a boat in the Sea of Galilee, and visited Capernaum, as well as “walked streets in Jerusalem built by the Crusaders in the 12th century.”

Kirby, who earned a Bachelor of Music Education and a master’s degree in theater education at TROY, is a long-time news director at WTBF radio in Troy. He is a member of the Troy University #1 Jazz Ensemble, a charter member of the Southeast Alabama Community Band, a member of the Troy University Alumni Band, and holds membership in music honoraries Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Kappa Psi and Alpha Psi Omega.

Troy University journalism lecturer David “Doc” Kirby, far right, performed seven jazz concerts in Israel in November with a team from the Global Missions Project. An alumnus of the Sound of the South Marching Band, the trip was Kirby’s twelfth such international jazz jaunt. (TROY photo)